Chapter 357: Shamaness

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"The Shimen Merchants Association processed documents for several people, and he was among them, so he’s not considered to be of unknown origin," the attendant said cautiously. "Moreover, he completed the process before you instructed the authorities."

"That fast?" Third Master Gan narrowed his eyes. "I just left yesterday, and the Shimen Merchants Association is already trying to poach from my Gan family?"

He almost slammed the table again. "What's the Shi family even worth? When my elder brother hosted banquets at Lotus Tower, they couldn't even get a sip of soup!"

Just then, Old Lady Mao called him over.

She must have heard gossip from some old woman about the rumor of him killing his brother, and she actually called him over to confront him, crying and cursing.

Third Master Gan saw his mother wasn't thinking clearly and decided he wouldn't tolerate it anymore. He smashed cups, plates, and medicine bowls on the spot, frightening both the old woman and his mother into trembling.

At this moment, Second Master Gan arrived, pointing at Third Master Gan and furiously cursing him for being unfilial.

The two brothers got into a fierce fight.

Second Master Gan was at a disadvantage. He had long stayed indoors; how could he compare to Third Master Gan, who enjoyed hunting and frequently practiced his martial arts?

The mansion was in utter chaos.

Third Master Gan won the fight but was still seething with anger. Ignoring the fact that his family was mourning, he walked out the main gate, called his friends, and headed straight for the Red House District.

In this situation, only strong liquor and women could calm him down.

While he was indulging in drink and women, Luo Xuyi arrived late.

He was originally a second-class steward of the Gan Family Merchants Association. He was kept on because of his effective work for Third Master Gan, and now he was Third Master Gan's most trusted advisor.

When Third Master Gan saw him, a wine cup flew past him. "Where the hell were you when I needed you most?"

Luo Xuyi dodged, and the wine cup shattered against the wall behind him.

He was accustomed to Third Master Gan's temper. He said directly, "The Gan Family Merchants Association is at a critical juncture; you cannot drink anymore!"

"What plan do you have?"

Luo Xuyi hummed and looked around.

Third Master Gan's mind wasn't completely dulled by alcohol yet. He waved everyone else out. "Speak! Quickly!"

"You have three options. First, apologize to this guy named He and beg him until he changes his mind."

Third Master Gan sneered. "Say one more word of nonsense and you'll be out."

"Second, after they depart, hire people to rob the Shi family's caravan and seize the token back. If that kid dies quietly somewhere else, it won't be linked to you at all. And you might even get rid of the Shi brothers in the process."

"This one, it seems plausible," Third Master Gan stroked his chin. "What's the catch?"

"There's no guarantee of success," Luo Xuyi whispered. "I heard from the workers who entered and exited the Demon Nest this time that the kid named He is incredibly skilled in martial arts; he killed many bandits. Even the great spider demon, Zhu Erniang, treated him politely. Someone like that, another group of bandits might not be able to handle him."

Third Master Gan had heard about how terrifying Zhu Erniang was since childhood. Such a demon only had one way of dealing with ordinary people: knock them down, eat them, and no nonsense.

A human who could make Zhu Erniang treat him politely—his martial prowess surely couldn't be weak.

Thinking of this, he let out a frustrated sigh. "What's the third option?"

"You ask the Shamaness for help."

"Her?" Third Master Gan's face changed. "My elder brother made me swear never to seek out the Shamaness again!"

"If you don't go, you can send me; that won't break your oath," Luo Xuyi advised. "Only if the Shamaness takes action can your troubles be resolved easily. Only by retrieving the Demon Nest pass can the Gan family maintain its foothold in Wuze!"

"The news of First Master's death has already spread throughout Wuze. Other merchant associations are like wolves scenting blood; they've already started poaching our people. Several of our most capable people in the association have been approached by outsiders. But that's not the worst of it," Luo Xuyi said in a deep voice. "Both Puli Bank and Fuji Bank sent people today to inquire if the loans given to the Gan family can be repaid. You know, all of the Gan family's money is tied up in inventory. The little liquid cash remaining is used for wages. It's impossible to withdraw money to repay them anytime soon!"

Third Master Gan was somewhat surprised. "The Gan family would be short on money? His family spent money like water; when had they ever lacked funds?"

"Merchant associations make money through turnover. The more capable you are, the more you borrow; the more you borrow, the more you earn; the more you earn, the more you can spend." Luo Xuyi knew exactly where Third Master Gan's weakness lay. "Once we can't repay the banks' loans, the Gan family and you... will immediately have no money."

He pointed at the lavish scene before them. "This establishment, these women, this fine wine—none of it will be yours. So, at the very least, we must get that pass back, to let everyone know that the exclusive business of the Demon Nest is still ours!"

"Now, neither the Old Lady nor Second Master Gan are effective. Only you, Third Master, can save the Gan family from ruin," he urged. "Succeed in this, and the association will naturally be yours to take over!"

Third Master Gan still hesitated. "What if this displeases Zhu Erniang?"

"The Shamaness will naturally make that kid agree, willingly give up the pass." Luo Xuyi sneered, "If it's his willingness and your desire, what reason would Zhu Erniang have to be displeased?"

"You're right, go find the Shamaness," Third Master Gan nodded. "Whatever you need, go acquire it."

No one noticed a small spider scuttling across the floor.

That night, He Lingchuan looked at the small spider that had secretly returned, feeling exasperated. "Why didn't you just switch into Luo Xuyi and see how he and the Shamaness plan to deal with me?! How could you just come back like this? No initiative whatsoever!"

The eyeball spider raised its claws in protest.

If you wanted me to switch people mid-way, you should have told me in advance. How would I know if you didn't say anything?

Anyway, this job is done. The payment can't be less.

"Where's the food? Bring it over!"

He Lingchuan tapped its head. "Don't be so eager. You still remember Third Master Gan's address, right?" Even a dog can recognize a path, let alone an eyeball plucked from Zhu Erniang's head.

"I do."

"Take me," He Lingchuan smiled. "When we get back this time, I'll give you and your little friends a plate of pupae. I won't go back on my word!"

That night, Third Master Gan was resting in the Red House District. He had drunk too much and was in a deep sleep.

In his dream, his elder brother was alive and still managed the Gan Family Merchants Association. And he himself had beaten the kid named He half to death and thrown him into a pigsty.

Suddenly, a basin of cold water was poured over his head.

It was early summer, and the well water was cold. Third Master Gan woke with a gasp. He found himself in pitch darkness, the warm, fragrant presence of the women beside him was gone. He seemed to be lying on a pile of straw, tied up securely.

No, he was on the roof of a thatched hut.

"Sleeping soundly, were you? I saw you smacking your lips in your dream." A figure in black squatted beside him, with a voice that sounded somewhat familiar. When the figure pulled down his face covering, Third Master Gan immediately felt an itch in his teeth at the sight of that face.

"Where am I?! What do you want?"

He Lingchuan got straight to the point. "Who is the Shamaness, and how will she deal with me?"

Would he give this kid time to deal with him? No. When encountering a threat, one must nip it in the bud immediately.

Third Master Gan turned pale with shock. "How could you... What nonsense! I don't understand what you're saying..."

The hairs on his back stood on end. He didn't know if it was from the wind or from fear. Although they were in the Red House District at the time, only he and Luo Xuyi had discussed the matter in the room; there wasn't a single outsider.

Yet He Lingchuan had accurately named the "Shamaness." Could someone be eavesdropping?

Before he finished speaking, He Lingchuan punched him in the abdomen.

Third Master Gan curled up in pain.

"Who is the Shamaness?"

Third Master Gan denied, gasping for breath. "I don't know, you've asked the wrong person."

He Lingchuan casually slapped him seven or eight times across the face, followed by two more punches. Third Master Gan saw stars, and his stomach churned with excruciating pain. He couldn't help but bend over and vomit.

Before he finished vomiting, He Lingchuan grabbed his ear and placed a dagger at the base of his ear. "I'll ask you one last time. If you don't answer, I'll slice off your head and send you to keep company with that long-tusked pig."

Remembering the gruesome sight of his hunting companion dismembered, Third Master Gan shivered. "I'll talk, I'll talk."

It turned out the Shamaness was a woman he had rescued from the riverside a few months ago. She appeared unremarkable, but she claimed she would help him three times to repay his life-saving kindness. Third Master Gan originally didn't believe her; if she had such great abilities, how could she have been drowning?

But seeing how unusually resolute the woman was, he jokingly said he had a long-tusked pig at home that was violent and untamable. He wanted to train it as a hunting companion and asked if she could achieve it.

"Yes, of course," she said. This was her first favor.

That long-tusked pig had always been more stubborn than a mule. It wouldn't move when pulled, would back away when driven, and would even bite people for fun. But after the Shamaness touched its head, it suddenly became docile and would follow his commands.

Third Master Gan didn't keep this a secret and told his elder brother.

So, the Shamaness's second intervention was to help First Master Gan handle a distinguished guest from Beijia. That person was extremely arrogant, looking down on merchants from small rural areas. It was as if speaking one more word to them would defile his mouth. Such a person was particularly difficult to win over, and he intended to give the business to other merchant associations.

But after the Shamaness's "persuasion," that person suddenly changed his mind and entrusted a large order to the Gan Merchants Association.

However, Third Master Gan was completely unaware of the details.

Afterwards, First Master Gan called him over, saying that the Shamaness was an evil spirit, and that dealing with evil spirits would never lead to good outcomes. He sternly warned him never to seek the Shamaness's help again.

He Lingchuan found this both amusing and exasperating. "You don't believe your elder brother?"

"I do." Although he was often scolded by his elder brother, Third Master Gan admired him.

As for his second brother, heh, he wasn't much better than himself.

"Then why did you still dare to seek out the Shamaness?"

Third Master Gan opened his mouth but couldn't speak.

Wasn't it because of the person right in front of him! If He Lingchuan hadn't been so difficult to handle, if he couldn't deal with him himself, and if the Gan Merchants Association wasn't driven to a dead end, how would he dare to use the Shamaness?

He Lingchuan thought for a moment. "What happened to that distinguished guest from Beijia afterwards?"

"He went back, didn't he?" Third Master Gan said blankly. "He only seemed to have visited once."

"What was his name? What business did he conduct in Wuze County?"

"I... I don't know either." He rarely paid attention to or inquired about his elder brother's business affairs.

"Cancel the mission, and I can spare your life." To strike a snake, hit its vital point. If he captured Third Master Gan, the client, it should be enough to settle things, right?

"I... Okay, okay." Third Master Gan had long since cast his anger and resentment to the winds. Nothing was more important than his own life.